Forest fires west of Montana in Oregon and Idaho were less active Friday, due to the weather, but they are expected to continue to spread smoke toward the Bitterroot Valley as the days return to hot and dry conditions.

Fires in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia, Canada, are pouring smoke into Western Montana.Officials say there are at least 25 forest fires in British Columbia, Washington state fires includes the 7,000 acre Carlton Fire and Oregon has over 110,000 acres on fire, including the Pittsburg…

The Lolo complex of fires is now 60 percent contained, according to Information Officer Tom Kempton. The public can hear the latest on the fire fighting at a meeting Tuesday, August 27, at 7 p.m. at the Lolo Elementary School.Officials said the area received very little rain from the past storms, an…